Apparatus for cutting slots in pipe



June 6, 1933. c, J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 19:50 10 Shets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 A from/5 x June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 250 ".jO I o 2% 28/ 2 285 I! 267 M. 262 2 0 z 257 303 5 u i 26/ 262 V 2652K? {-266 f/vvz/vroxx 7 CLARENCE 1 6055/12.;

June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 10 Shets-Sheet 5 June 6, 1933. Q J CQBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 6441mm: J. C 0551a X 5;

ATTORNEY June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 June 6, 1933.

c. J. COBERLY 1,912,362

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 10 Shets-Sheet 9 A rI'OR/VE'K June 6, 1933. c. J. COBERLY APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Filed Feb. 4, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 ATTOKZYEX NO 0.075 0 lI|L Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CLARENCE J. GOBERLY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO KOBE, INC., OF HUNTINGTON BARK, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLOTS IN PIPE Application filed February 4, 1930. Serial No. 425,838.

This invention relates to the metal cutting art, and more particularly to a novel method and apparatus for cutting slots in-a length of pipe or similar material, and is an improvement on the apparatus disclosed in my Patent No. 1,585,893, issued May 25, 1926.

In its preferred form, the present invention comprises a head including a spindle for controlling the angular position of the pipe, and a carriage movable along the pipe and supporting a plurality of drilling structures and a plurality of cutting torch structures disposed radially around the pipe. The drilling structures first penetrate the pipe after which the cutting flames from the torches are directed through the holes thus formed and .the carriage is moved along the pipe, thus cutting a slot therein.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved pipe-slotting machine of this type.

It should not be inferred, however, that this invention is limited only to pipe-perforating machines, for certain features thereof are not limited thereto but find utility in machines for otherwise processing pipe or other articles.

One of the important objects of the present invention lies in the provision of a novel handling apparatus, operated from the machine, for placing the pipe or other article in position in the machine without the use of cranes or other overhead lifting devices.

This I accomplish by the use of a plurality of hydraulically operated jacks, and

it is an object of this invention to provide jacks which lift the pipe or other article into correct relationship relative to the machine and maintain this pipe or article in correct position during the processing thereof.

As the carriage moves along the pipe, it is necessary that these jacks be successively lowered, and it is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of jacks which may be operated simultaneously or individ ually.

Other objects of the invention lie in the novel apparatus for supplying the necessary gas and electricity to the carriage without the use of overhead hose and cables which are not only unsightly, but often become entangled and thereby incur the danger of belength of pipe by drawing a stream of air on other gas through the unperforated section of the pipe during the cutting process.

Not only does this stream of air collect and remove the slag, but it has a very desirable hardening action on the walls of the slot, and itis a further object of the invention to provide a novel method of hardening the walls of a perforation formed in a pipe, or other member, by drawing a stream of air, gas, or other fluid through this perforation during the cutting thereof by a cutting torch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the class described in which the sequence of events is controlled automatically, this sequence of events including not only the operation of the drills and torches, but also the movement of the carriage and the pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine in which various shapes of slots may be cut by relatively simple adjustments of the machine.

It sometimes occurs that one of the torch tips may become clogged, and a slot may thus be missed before the difliculty can be corrected. In returning for the purpose of correcting this defect, it is extremely desirable that the carriage be moved to the exact point at which the slot would otherwise have been started; in other words, to such a position that the torch is directed through the previously drilled hole. In accomplishing this end, I have devised a control system for the carriage which makes the distance between starting points of successive slots constant. This is accomplished by providing means for automatically stopping the carriage only at certain predetermined positions, usually at onehalf inch intervals or less.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel control system for maintaining the distance between corresponding points of adjacent perforations constant.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric control system for the spindle which includes a single electric circuit connecting the carriage and the head.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a control system in which the desired spindle speed may be selected after which the electric circuit connecting the carriage to the head automatically controls the direction and speed of movement of the spindle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a reversible electric drive means, the operation of which is controlled by the control circuit, this drive means being connected to the spindle for turning this spindle through an angle depending upon the position of a stop means which also acts to reverse the connections of the motor so that at a subsequent time the control circuit effects a movement of the spindle in an opposite direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel floating support for the drill and torch structures whereby these structures are maintained a constant distance from the surface of the pipe regardless of irregularities or slight bends therein.

Other objects of the invention lie in the particular construction of certain of the elements and in certain combinations of elements, such, for instance, as the provision of a plurality of drills operated by individual motor means controlled by a single control means, and in the provision of a cutting torch in which the heating flame continuously acts to heat the metal while the cutting flame is controlledby manual or automatic means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident to those skilled in the art relationships between the various parts of.

my invention, and illustrates the carriage in working position.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the pipe-handling ap aratus illustrated in Fig. 2.

ig. 4 is a sectional view of a jack forming a part of the lifting means of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a pneumatically operated valve structure for controlling the operation of the jack shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view, partially in section, of the carriage structure of my invention and is taken in the direction of the arrows 6' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the carriage structure taken as indicated by the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the lower portion of the carriage structure with the cover removed.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the carriage driving mechanism and is taken as indicated by theline 9-9 or Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1010 of 9.

Fig. 11 is a view taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 9 and illustrates the carriage switch.

F1g..12 is a sectional view of the drilling structure of my invention taken on the line 12 12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the torch structure of my invention taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a view of the directional switch and is taken as indicated by the numeral 14-44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a braking means for the carriage structure.

Fig. 17 is a top view of the timing machine of my invention, a portion of the cover thereof being broken away.

Fig. 18 is a side view, partially in section, of the timing machine illustrated in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a general wiring diagram of a portion of the electrical connections utilized in my apparatus.

Machine in generaZ Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the form of machine shown in the drawings is adapted to perforate a length of pipe 20 which is moved toward the machine on a conveying system 21 positioned below the floor level 22. An elevating system 23 is then utilized for moving the pipe vertically upward into a working position shown in Fig. 2, this elevating system being formed of a plurality of hydraulically operated jacks 24. When in this position, the pipe may be moved into a chuck 25 secured to a spindle 26 rotatably mounted in a head 27 and cooperating therewith in defining a head structure 28. The spindle 26 is adapted to turn the pipe 20 through a given angle, moving this pipe first in one direction and then in the other, as will be hereinafter described.

Mounted substantially at the floor level 22, and extending parallel to the axis of the pipe are rails along which a carriage structure 31 moves, this structure including a face plate 32 on which is secured a plurality of drilling structures 33 and a plurality of cutting torch structures 34. During the cutting of the slots in the pipe 20 the carriage structure moves in a forward direction indicated by the arrowof Fig. 2 and the drilling structures 33 drill a series of holes through the pipe, after which the carriage advances until the cutting torch structures 34 lie adjacent these holes, whereupon a stream of cutting oxygen is forced through these holes and the carriage 31 is moved in a direction of the arrow 35 to cut a longitudinal slot in the pipe 20. When the desired length of slot has been cut, the stream of cutting oxygen is removed, new holes are drilled and the sequence of operations is repeated. It is usually desirable to stagger the slots formed in the pipe, and for this reason it becomes necessary to turn the pipe 20 by means of the spindle 26 between successive drilling operations.

The necessary air, oxygen, acetylene, and water are supplied to the carriage through a plurality of hose 36 resting in a guide means formed by a channel 37 secured to one of the rails 30, as best shown in Fig. 9, and extending over a plurality of sheaves 38 and into a well 39 where they form a loop, the free end of the hose extending upward through the well and over a plurality of sheaves 40, these hose being connected to individual supply means 42. A loop 43 is formed in each hose between the sheaves and the supply means 42, there being a spring 44 across this loop. The hose are held taut by sheaves 45 pivotally secured to a weight 46 in the well, this weight rising and lowering as the carriage moves along the track. Any diiference in length between the hose is taken care of by the spring 44. These hose are paralleled by four-conductor electric cable 47, this cable being for the purpose of supplying electrical energy to the carriage.

Pipe-handling apparatus The pipe-handling system of my invention is specifically described in my co-pending application entitled Apparatus for handling pipe, Serial No. 425,836, filed February 4, 1930, now Patent No. 1,861,113. One form of this apparatus is, however, diagrammatically shown in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive so that its cooperation with the remainder of the apparatus will be apparent. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be apparent that the conveyor system 21 forming a part of the pipe-handling system comprlses a number of pairs of pneumatically tired wheels 50 rotatably mounted in standards 50a disposed in spaced relationship in a pit 51, each of these pairs of wheels being simultaneously driven through beveled gears 52 which are in turn driven by a shaft 53 to one end of which a motor 54 is connected. The forward or reverse rotation of this motor is controlled by a switch 54a on the head 27. The energizetion of the motor 54 simultaneously turns all of the wheels, so that by placing a pipe on the wheels, as indicated by dotted lines 55 of Fig. 3, this pipe may move along the length of the pipe 20 into a position below that shown in Fig. 2.

Three jacks 24 have been shown, these jacks being positioned between the pairs of wheels 50, the details of the jacks being best shown in Fig. 4 wherein is illustrated a base structure 56 from which a barrel 57 extends downward into the ground. The lower end of this barrel is closed and the upper end provides a suitable packing 58 for a hollow piston 59 adapted to slide vertically therein, the barrel 57 providing guides 60 between which a pin 61 of the piston 59 may slide. The piston 59 is illustrated in its lowermost position and the uppermost position thereof is determined by an engagement between the pin 61 and a ring 62 which is secured to the inner surface of the barrel 57 and adapted to journal the piston 59.

Threadedly retained in the upper end of the piston 59 is a sleeve 63 in which the shank of a pipe-supporting head 64 journals, this head being shaped in the form of a Y. When slotting pipe of small diameter it is necessary that the head 64 be raised relative to the piston 59, so that when the pin 61 engages the ring 62 the pipe will be axially aligned with the spindle 26. This adjustment is accomplished by turning the sleeve 63.

The jacks 24 are hydraulically operated and are individually controlled by pneumatically operated valve structures 65 which control the supply of water to the interior of the barrel 57. Each valve structure 65 provides a body 66 in which is formed a central chamber 67 communicating with its corresponding jack through a pipe 68. Adapted to slide in a bore 69 of the body 66 is a pisston 70 which is resiliently retained in upper position by a spring 71, and which provides a pocket 72 so positioned as to connect the chamber 67 with a water outlet pipe 73 when the piston is in an upper position, and to connect this chamber with a water inlet pipe 74 when in a lower position. Water is thus supplied to or exhausted from the j ack, depending upon whether the piston 70 is in a downward or an upward position, thus controlling the vertical position of the pipe.

The piston 70 is moved downward against the action of the spring 71 by air pressure supplied to the bore 69 above the piston from an air line 75, this pressure being controlled by an individual three-way valve 76 which is manually operable to either supply air to the valve structure from the air line 75, or to exhaust the air from the valve structure through this valve. One of these three-way valves is rovided for each of the valve structures fbr individually controlling the jack associated therewith. In addition the air line is provided with a three-way valve 77 positioned adjacent the head 27 for simultaneously controlling all of the jacks 24, this valve controlling the supply of'air from an air supply pipe 78 to the air line 75. In the normal operation of the device, the threeway valves 76 are so turned that air is simultaneously supplied to the valve structures 65 when the valve 77 is opened, thus moving the pipe 20 vertically through the operation of the three jacks 24 shown. When, however, the carriage structure is moving along the rails 30, it becomes necessary to operate the jacks 24 individually, so that vthese jacks may be lowered out of the path of travel of the carriage structure and again be raised into supporting relationship with the pipe. The valves 76 make this individual operation possible.

Head and spindle structure The details of this structure are best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 14, and 15. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the head 27 provides a base 84 which is secured to a suitable foundation adjacent the well 39 and provides end posts 85 and 86 which extend upward and provide journal boxes at their upper ends for journalling the spindle 26. This spindle is rotated by a spindle motor 87 mounted between the end posts 85 and 86, this motor being provided with a worm 88 which meshes with a worm gear 89 secured to a drive shaft of a quick-change gear box 90. On the driving shaft of this gear box is mounted a worm which is meshed with a worm gear mounted on a vertical shaft 91, the upper end of which carries a worm 92 meshed with a worm gear 93 mounted directly on the spindle 26. The worm 92 thus provides a drive means for the spindle, and the speed of this drive means may be controlled by the gear box 90. In addition, I prefer to utilize a two-speed reversible motor 87 whereby further speed variations may be accomplished, as well as a change in direction of rotation of the spindle.

The spindle 26 extends a distance beyond the end post 85, and the chuck 25 mounted thereon at this end is of any suitable design which will retain the pipe 20 in axial alignment with the spindle 26. Furthermore, the spindle is hollow, the interior thereof communicating with the interior of the pipe 20, and also with a suction pipe 94 secured to the head 27 and extending to the suction-end of a suitable blower, not shown, so that a strong stream of air is drawn through the unperforated portion of the pipe 20, through the s indle, and through the suction pipe 94, for t e purpose of hardening the walls of the perforations, and also conducting slag therefrom, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Mounted on the end post 85 is a directional switch 95 which cooperates with the spindlecontrol system, to be hereinafter described, 1n controlling the amount and direction of rotation of the spindle. 26. The details of this switch are best shown in Figs. 14, 15, and

19, which illustrate a. horizontal shaft 96 pivoted in the walls of a box 97 which encloses the directional switch 95. Mounted on the shaft 96 in spaced relationship are cams 98 and 99, the shapes of which are best shown in Fig. 19. The cam 98 is in the shape of a bell pivoted about an axis near the upper end thereof, the lower edges of this cam being respectivel contacted by spring arms 100 and 101 w ich are mounted in an insulating structure 102. This insulating structure also mounts spring contacts 103 and 104 which are electrically disconnected from the spring arms 100 and 101 when the cam 98 is in a neutral position, shown in Figs. 14 and 19. When, however, the shaft 96 is rotated as indicated by the arrow 105 of Figs. Hand 19, the spring arm 101 moves into engagement with the spring contact 104, while the spring arm 100 moves still farther away from the spring contact 103. When the shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, however, the members 100 and 103 come into engagement, and the members 101 and 104 remain separated. A suitable adjusting means 106 is provided for each sprin contact, this adjusting means extending girough an opening in the adjacent spring arm and contacting the spring contact to determine the outermost position thereof.

F or the purpose of brevity, the spring arm 100 and spring contact 103 will hereinafter be described as contacts 1 of the directional switch, whilethe corresponding spring arm 101 and spring contact 104 will be termed contacts 2 of the directional switch.

The cam 99 is of slightly different shape, and provides an upper circular portion 108 concentric with the axis of rotation of the shaft 96, and a lower eccentric portion 109 joined thereto by substantially fiat side surfaces 110 and 111. Respectively engaging these side surfaces are spring arms 113 and 114 which when the cam 99 is in its neutral position shown in Figs. 14 and 19 are in electrical contact with spring contacts 115 and 116. For the purpose of brevity, the spring arm 113 and spring contact 115 will be hereinafter referred to as contacts 3 of the directional switch, while the spring arm 114 and spring contact 116 will be hereinafter termed contacts 4 of the directional switch.

The cam 99 is so designed that when the shaft 96 isturned in the direction indicated by the arrow 105. the lower eccentric portion 109 thereof opens the contacts 3, the contacts 4 remaining closed due to the fact that the spring arm 114 engages the upper circular portion 108 of the cam and is not moved outward thereby. When, however, the shaft is' rotated in an opposite direction, the contacts 4 open and the contacts 3 remain closed in the same manner as previously described.

The pivoting of the shaft 96 is accomplished by a tab 120 directly connected thereto and normally extending upward under the action of a spring 121. Thus an sideward force exerted on the tab 120 wi turn the shaft 96, but when this force is removed the shaft and its associated cams will return to a neutral position. Such a force is exerted on the tab 120 by stops 122 and 123 which are adjustably positioned in an annular channel 124 formed in an annular ring 125 secured to the spindle 26. Thus when the spindle 26 is rotating in a direction indicated by the arrow 126 of Fig. 14, the stop 122 will turn the shaft 96 as indicated by the arrow 105, while if the spindle is moved in an opposite direction the stop 123 will engage the tab 120 to move the shaft 96 in an opposite direction.

The stops 122'and 123 are preferably retained in the channel 124 by tapered set screws 128 which act to spread split end portions of the stops into clamping engagement with the walls of the annular channel 124 when these set screws are threaded inward.

Spindle control system The electrical means. for controlling the spindle are best shown in Fig. 19, taken in conjunction with Fig. 1, the switches shown in Fig. 19 being shown approximately in the positions which they occupy on the head structure of the machine. eferring particularly to Fig. 19, the cable 47 extending downward into the well 39 and to the carriage structure 31 comprises four conductors,

three of which carry power from a three-;

phase supply line 135 to the carriage controls, as will be explained in detail hereinafter, and the fourth conductor being a control wire 136 extending between the carriage and the head. The spindle control system to be hereinafter described is controlled by the grounding of this control wire, this grounding controlling the direction of ro-.

tation of the spindle motor 87 through the directional switch 95. I

Referring particularly to Fig. 19, one terminal of the spindle motor 87 is connected to a conductor of the supply circuit 135 through a conductor 138. the two remaining conductors of this supply circuit being connected tothc line side of a forward contactor 139 and a reverse contactor 140, the closing of which are respectively controlled by the en- .ergization of solenoids 141 and 142. The contactors 139 and 140 are oftheinterlockedtype, so that the closing of one precludes the closing of the other until the first one is opened.

The load side of each of these contactors is connected to the line side of a pair of contactors controlling the speed of the motor 87, these contactors being hereinafter referred to as a fast contactor 144 and a slow contactor 145, the closing of these contactors being respectively controlled by the energization of solenoids 146 and 147. The load side of the contactor 144 is connected to a circuit 149 which, when energized, cooperates with the conductor 138 in supplying current through that winding of the spindle motor which makes this motor turn over at high speed. Similarly, the load side of the slow contactor 145 is connected to a circuit 150, the energization of which moves the motor 87 at low speed. The contactors 144 and 145 are also of the interlocked t pe so that only one of these contactors can be closed at any particular time.

It will be noted from Fig. 19 that the conductor which is connected to blade 1 of the reverse contactor 140 extends to blade 2 of the forward contactor 139, and that blade 2 of the reverse contactor is connected to blade 1 of the forward contactor. Thus, assuming that the fast contactor 144 is closed, the energization of the solenoid 141 of the forward contactor 139 will send current'through the circuit 149 in a given direction, while if the reverse contactor- 140 is closed by an energization of the solenoid 142, this current in the circuit 149 will flow in an opposite direction. Inasmuch as the reversing of any two supply conductors will reverse a three-phase induction motor, it follows that the energization of the solenoids 141 and 142 controls the direction of rotation of the spindle motor 87, and that the energization of the solenoids 146 and 147 controls the speed at which the spindle motor turns.

The solenoids 141, 142, 146, and 147 are connected to a pair of selector switches respectively termed a forward selector switch 160 and a reverse selector switch 161. The selector switches are diagrammatically illustrated as being of the disc or pallet type, and each is provided with a pallet switch, when in an upper slow position shorts a pair of contacts, and when moved into a lower or fast bosition shorts another pair of contacts. The position of the pallets of the selector switches 160 and 161 controls the energization of the solenoids 146 and 147. Thus, if it is desired that the spindle move forward at slow speed and reversed atv fast speed, the pallet of the switch 160 will be thrown upward and that of the switch 161 will be thrown downward. The efi'ect'bf these switches will be apparent from a detailed description of the operation of the control system.

The solenoids 141, 142, 146 and 147 are also connected to a series of spindle control an automatic spindle control switch 165 and comprises a pair of contacts shunted by a suitable pallet. This pallet may be moved away from these contacts and into shorting enga ment with contacts of a manual spin le control switch 166 illustrated immediately therebelow, the position of this pallet determining whether the spindle is v turned automatically or whether itnnay be manually controlled by the closing of forward and reverse s indle control switches 167 and 168. he current passing through the solenoids of the contactors passes through a stop spindle control switch 169 which is normally closed, but which may be opened whether it is desired to stop a spindle for any reason,

A transformer 170 is utilized for supplying low potential current to the solenoids of the contactors, the primary of this transformer being connected across one phase of the supply circuit 135, one terminal of the secondary being grounded, the other terminal extending to the stop spindle control switch and to blades 3 of the contactors 144 and 145. The remaining connections are clearly shown in Fig. 19, power conductors being indicated by heavy lines, and control conductors by light lines. I prefer to utilize a magnetic brake 175 on the spindle motor 87, this brake being of the type that locks as soon as the current supply to the motor is cut off, and releases as soon as the current is turned'on; This permits a quick stopping of the spindle so as to prevent an'overrunnmg thereof when the desired angular position has been reached.

Assuming that the spindle has been moving in a forward direction, as indicated by .the arrow 126 of Fig. 14, and that the shaft 96 of the directional switch 95 has been turned by engagement with the stop 122 in a direction indicated by the arrow 105 of Figs. 14 and 19, the contacts 1 and 3 of the directional switch. 95 will be opened and contacts 2 and 4 thereof will be closed, as previously described. Assumingnow that the pallets of the selector switches 160 and 161 are in an upper position, as shown in Fig. 19, the grounding of the control wire 136 at the carriage, or at any point, will completev a circuit from the transformer through ground, the control wire 136, the solenoid 142 of the reverse contactor, contacts 2 of the directional switch, the automatic spindle control switch 165, the stop control switch 169, and to the secondary of the transformer 170. This closes the reverse? contactor 140 which in turn completes a circuit from the grounded terminal of the transformer through'the control wire 136, the solenoid 147 of the slow contactor, the reverse selector switch 161, blade 4 of the reverse contactor 140 the contacts 20f the directional switch, the automatic spindle control switch 165 the stop spindle control switch 169, and thence to the transformer. This energizes the motor 87 and simultaneousl releases the m netic brake, the circuit t rough the solenoi 175 of this brake ilncluding blade 3 of the slow contactor It is only necessary to momentarily ground the control wire 136, for the reverse and slow contactors 140 and 145 are self-ener- 'gizing when once closed, the holding circuit of the former being from the transformer through ground to grounded blade 4 of the slow contactor 145, through the solenoid 142 of the reverse contactor 140, contacts 4 of the directional switch, blade 3 of the reverse contactor 140, and returning to the transformer through the stop control switch 169, while the holding circuit of the latter includes grounded blade 4 of the contactor 144, the solenoid 147 of the slow contactor, the reverse selector switch 161,

blade 4 of the reverse contactor 140, contacts 4 of the directional switch, blade 8 of the reverse contactor, returning to the transformer through the stop spindle control switch.

At this time the spindle is moving in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 126 of Fig. 14, thus allowing the stop 122 to disengage the tab 120, and allowing the cams to be thrown into neutral position by the spring 121. When this occurs, contacts 4 remain closed and contacts 1 remain open, the only change being in contacts 3 and 2, the former being closed and the latter being opened by this movement into a neutral position. These contacts, however, have no effect on the reverse movement of the spindle which continues until the stop 123 comes into engagement with the tab 120 and rotates the shaft 96 in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrow 105. When this occurs, contacts 4 of the directional switch are opened, thus immediately stopping the spindle motor 87- by de-energizing the solenoids 142 and 147 and 175, and the contacts 1 are closed, the contacts 3 remaining closed and the contacts 2 remaining opened. The spindle thus remains stationary at this point during the perforating operation.

When the control wire 136 is subsequently regrounded, current passes from the transformer through the control wire 136, the solenoid 141 of the forward contactor 139, contacts 1 of the directional switch, the automatic spindle control switch 165, returning to the transformer through the stop control switch 169. The energization of the solenoid 141 closes the forward contact 2139 and completes a circuit from the transformer through the control wire 136, the solenoid 147 of the slow contaetor 145, the forward selector switch, blade 4 of the forward contactor 139, the contacts 1 of the directional switch, and returning to the transformer through the automatic and stop spindle control switches.

Once the slow contactor 147 is thus closed, it remains closed, the holding circuit thereof including grounded blade 4 thereof", the solenoid 147 of the slow contactor, the forward selector switch, blade-4 of the forward contactor 139, the contacts 3 of the directional switch, the blade 3 of the forward contactor 139, the current return ing to the transformer through the stop control switch. A similar holding circuit is completed through the solenoid 141 of the forward contactor and includes contacts 3 of the directional switch, blade 3 of the forward contactor 139, and the stop spindle control switch.

This moves the spindle in a forward direction, and returns the cams of the directional switch to a neutral position at which time contacts 2 open and contacts 4 close, this opening and closing having no immediate effect on the rotation of the pipe which continues until the stop 122 engages the tab 120 to move the directional switch into such a position that the forward mdvement of the spindle is arrested.

The setting of the selector switches 160 and 161 determines whether the fast or the slow contactors 144 or 145 are to be energized after the closing of either the forward or reverse contactors 139 and 140, as will be readily a parent.

lit will be urthermore apparent that successive groundings of the control wire 136 will control the forward and reverse movements of the spindle and that the control circuit formed by this control wire and the ground may be utilized for controlling the operation of the spindle from the carriage.

Should manual operation of the spindle motor 87 be desired, the operator moves the pallet of the automatic spindle control switch downward and into engagement with the contacts of the manual control switch 166. If it is then desired to move the spindle in a forward direction, the forward spindle control switch 167 is depressed until the desired amount of movement has taken place, the closing of this switch completing a circuit from the transformer, through ground to the manual spindle control switch 166, and through the solenoid 141 of the forward contactor 139, the current returning to the transformer through the now closed forward spindle control switch 167,

, and the stop spindle control switch 169.

This completes another circuit from the transformer through the ground to the manual spindle control switch 166, through whichever of the solenoids 146 or 147 has been previously selected by the forward selector switch 160, the current passing through blade 4 of the forward contactor 139, through the forward control switch, and through the stop spindle control switch 169 to the transformer. This, of course, energizes the spindle motor 87.

Similarly, the manual closing of the reverse'spindle control switch 168 will rotate the spindle in a reverse direction during the period that it is depressed.

Owl-Mag; stmwtwe The carriage structure provides a body 199 to which a pair of flat-surfaced wheels 200 are rotatably secured, these wheels rolling on pne of the rails 30provided with a flat surface. The other of the rails 30 provides a guiding bead 201 which fits a pair of grooved wheels 202 rotatably secured to the body 199. This latter rail is provided with a rack gear. 204 secured thereto along its length and best shown in Fig. 9. The teeth on this rack are meshed with a pinion 205 mounted on a shaft 206 extending vertically and ournalled in the body 199. The upper end of the shaft 206 carries a gear 207 which is meshed with a pinion 208 mounted on an auxiliary shaft 209 also extending vertically and being suitably journ-alled in the body 199. The extreme upper end of this shaft carries a gear 210 which is intermeshed with p a floating gear 211 rotatably mounted on a shaft 212 which is in turn ournalled in bearings 213 and 214 in the body 199.

The gear 211 and the shaft 212 form a part of a transmission 215 which may be of any well-known construction, but it is preferably formed as best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. In this form of the invention, the shaft 212 is formed with a squared portion 216 on which a collar 217 may slide longitudinally under the action of a pair of pins 218 engaging in an annular channel 219 formed around this collar, the pins 218 being mounted in an arm 220 secured to a shaft 221 which extends forward through the body 199 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, this shaft being provided with a lever 223 for shifting the collar upward and downward. The lower end of the collar provides a clutch means which cooperates with a similar clutch means formed on the upper end of the floating gear 211 when the collar is in a lower position, thereby drivably connecting the shaft 212 and the floating gear 211. The upper end of the collar provides a clutch means which, when the collar is in an upper position, cooperates with a similar clutch means formed on the lower end of a floating gear 222 rotatably mounted on the shaft 212, so that when the collar is in an upper position the gear 222 is non-rotatably connected to the shaft 212.

Another shaft 225 is journalled in the body 199 in a manner similar to the shaft 212 and extends parallel thereto, the upper ends of the shafts 225 and 212 being interconnected through a pair of change gears 226 in a well-known manner. Near the lower end of the-shaft 225 is keyed a worm gear 228 which is meshed. with a worm 229 mounted on the shaft of a carriage motor 230. An idler 232 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 225 and provides an upper gear 233 which is meshed with the gear 222, and a lower gear 234 which is meshed with the floating gear 211.

When the collar 217 is in a lower position the motor drives through the worm gear 228, the shaft 225, the change gears 226, the

floating gear 211, and through the gear train to the rack 204. When this collar is moved into an upper position, the motor drives through the shaft 225 and the gears 226, as previously described, through the gear 222, the idler 232, through the oating gear 211, and thence through the gear train shown in Fig. 9. The speed of movement of the carriage may thus be changed by moving the lever 223 or by changin the change gears 226. In addition, I pref hr to utilize the motor 230 which is of the multi-speed type and which is reversible for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Mounted on each side of the carriage body 35 199 is a brake means 240, best shown in Fig. 16 as comprising a block of material 241, preferably made of lignum vitae, which is slidable in a shell 242 and which is resilientheld in engagement with the rail imme- 49 d iately therebelow by a compression spring 243. The pressure on this spring is controlled by a bolt 244 threaded through the top wall of the shell 242. These brake means prevent the carriage from being moved along the rails due to the pull exerted thereon by the hose 36 and cable 47 and the weight 46 associated therewith, and also prevent any backlash existing in the transmission215 and its associated gear train from affecting the accurate operation of the switch means controlling the accurate positioning of the carriage structure and which will be hereinafter more fully described.

I Face plate mounting which are cylindrical in shape and which extend through openings 254 formed in a cast superstructure 255 forming a part of the carriage structure and bolted to the upper portion of the carriage body. 199. The columns 253 are vertically journalled in the openings 254 by upper and lower bearings 257 and 258, best shown in Fig. 6, and the lower ends thereof extend through cylindrical openings 259 formed in a block 260 extending between the two columns and forming a part of the frame 251. The block 260 may be secured to the columns 253 by any suitable means such, for instance, as bolts 261 extending across a slot 262 communicating with the cylindrical opening 259 and extending a distance toward the center of the block 260, so that the bolts 261 may draw the walls of this slot closer together, thus clamping the vertical columns in the cylindrical openings 259.

The extreme lower end of the vertical columns 253 are formed in the shape of pistons 265 which are adapted to vertically slide in cylinders'266 formed in the superstructure 255. Compressed air is supplied to these cylinders through passages 267 communieating with a storage chamber 268 formed in the superstructure 255. The pressure of the air in the storage chamber 268 is maintained constant through a hose 269, best shown in Fig. 1, which communicates with a pressure regulator 270 to which air is supplied through an air line 271 connected to one of the hose 36 extending downward in the well 39.

The face plate 32 is horizontally movable in the frame 251, this being accomplished by a series of lower rolls 275 formed as best illustrated in Fig. 7, and rotatably secured in a retainer 276. These rolls engage the walls of a V-shaped channel 277 formed in the block 260, and the upper surfaces thereof roll in a similar V-shaped channel 278 formed in the lower surface of a transverse member 279 which is suitably bolted to the face plate 32, as best shown in Fig. 7.

A similar transverse member 280 is adjustably secured to the upper portion of the face plate 32 by a plurality of bolts 281, each of which extends t rough an elongated opening 282, the longitudinal axis of which is inclined, as best shown in Fig. 6, so that by moving the transverse member 280 to the left, as indicated in Fig. 6, this member will be moved upward and toward the yoke 252, while an opposite movement will cause the space between the yoke 252 and the member 280 to be increased. This movement of the member 280 is effected through an adjusting means 284 clamped to the face plate 32at opposite ends of the transverse member 280 and providing adjusting screws 285 which engage the ends of the member 280. The upper surface of this member 280 provides a V-shaped channel 286 in which a plurality of rolls 287 rests, these rolls having surfaces shaped to correspond to the shape of the channel 286 and being rotatably mounted in a retainer 288. The lower surface of the yoke 252 provides a similar V-shaped channel 289 in which the rolls 287 may roll. Thus, when the rolls 275 and 287 are in place, the transverse member 280 may be so positioned that no play in a vertical direction exists between the frame 251 and the face plate 32.

The face plate is thus mounted so as to be moved in its own plane in any direction relative to the carriage, any horizontal component of this movement being permitted'by the rolls 27 5 and 287, and any vertical component of this movement being permitted by the vertical movement of the frame 251.

it is desirable to provide a locking means acting between the superstructure 255 and the face plate 32 for the purpose of clamping these structures together when adjustments are being made.

. means is illustrated in Fig. 7 as comprising ing action of the face plate 32 is of extreme.

a screw 292 threaded into the superstructure 255 and being turned by a crank 293. The inner end of this screw is beveled as indicated in Fig. 7 and is adapted to fit in a socket 294 formed in a transverse member 297, thus preventing any floating action between the face plate and the superstructure while the screw engages.

It is very. desirable to maintain the drill structures 33 and the torch structures 34 a constant distance. from the periphery of the pipe '20. It is in this capacity that the floatimportance, for it is seldom possible to find a length of pipe that is exactly straight, I thus provide a centering means for maintaining the face plate concentric with the axis of the pipe, regardless of whether or not this pipe is slightly out of alignment, this centering means being best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. From these figures it will be apparent that the face plate is provided with an opening 300 through which the length of pipe 20 extends, this opening being of suflicient diameter so that the face plate may move over the chuck 25 and into a position shown in Fig. 1 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The centering means of my invention comprises three adjustable centering members numbered respectively 301, 302 and 303'which extend radially into the opening 300 and into engagement with the surface of the pipe 20. The centering members 301 and 302 are in the form of plungers through which screws 304 pass, these plungers being slidable in radial passages 305 of the face plate. Each screw 304 is journalled in a thrust bearing 306 positioned inside the radial passages 305, and a crank 308 is securedto the outer end thereof. Thus by turning the cranks 308, the centering members 301 may be moved radially into the opening 300. The ends of these mem- Such a clamping here may be shaped to approximately conform to the contour of the surface of the pipe 20, as indicated in Fig. 6, and a suitable guide means is preferably provided for preventing any rotation of the centering member 301 in the passage 305.

The centering member 303 is of slightly different construction, as shown best inFig. 7, and provides a plunger 312 slidable in a vertical passage 313. A resilient downward pressure is exerted on the centering member 303 by means of a compression sprin 314 which is compressed between a shoul er of the centering member and a collar 315 which is threaded to a screw 316, this screw being journalled in a thrust bearing 317 and being provided with a crank 318. The collar 315 slides in a passage 319 of the centering member 303, this centering member being preferably provided with guide means for preventing a rotation thereof in the passage 313. Thus by turning the crank 318, the resilient. downward pressure of the centering member 303 on the upper surface of the pipe 20 may be readily varied.

By resiliently mounting one of the centering members, I accomplish several important 7 results, the foremost of which are the elimination of play between the centering means and thepipe as'the carriage is moved along, and making it possible to hold pipes which are not exactly circular. Similarly, the spring 314 acts in conjunction with the air pressure in the cylinders 266 to move the frame 251 upward, and in the operation of my device, I usually prefer to adjust the pressure regulator 270 so that the pressure in the cylinders 266 substantially balances theweight of the face plate and its attachments, thus allowing the spring 314 to be utilized only for the purpose of maintaining the pipe in contact with the centering members 301 and 302, although obviously this spring also acts to compensate for any deficiency of pres sure in the cylinders 266. It is not necessary, however, to resiliently mount but one of these centering members for if desired they may all be thus mounted to give a resilient centering action.

Drill strucf/We cured to the front surface of the face plate 32 by means of bolts extending through a portion of the base of the drill structure and being threadedly received by squared washers 340 disposed in annular T-shaped grooves tendin 341 formed in the face plate 32 so that the angular position of each drill structure may be read y varied.'

Referring particularly to Fig. 12, each drill structure is provided with its own individual motor 350, the rotor 351 of which is .mounted on a sleeve structure 352 which is in turn rotatably mounted in bearings 353 and 354 of the motor shell. Extendin through this sleeve structure 352 and spline thereto is a spindle 356, the lower end of which carries a chuck 357 for clamping a drill 358, the upper end of this spindle exaxially mto a cylindrical bore 360 forme in a head 361 secured to the u per end of the motor 350. The upper end 0 the spindle 356 provides a flat plate 365 which is journalled in a cavit 366 of a piston structure 367 slidable in uid-tight relationship with the walls of the cylindrical bore 360. The means for journalling this flat plate 365 relative to the piston structure 367 comprises a pair of thrust bearings, so that when the piston is moved downward, and the motor is energized, the drill pressure will be controlled by the amount of pressure forcing the piston structure 367 downward.

The retracted position of the spindle .is determined byengagement between the piston structure and a cap 368 closing the end of the cylindrical bore 360, and the advanced position of the spindle 356 is controlled by the position of a stop member 369 adjustably posltioned in the bore 360 and in the path of travel of the piston structure 367, the adjustment of the stop member 369 being effected by the interengagement of threads 370 on the periphery of the stop member 369 and threads on a plug 371 extending into the cylindrical bore 360.

The spindle 356 is both advanced and retracted through pneumatic means electrically controlled from a remote point. This is accomplished by means of a slide valve 390 which is slidable in a valve chamber 391 under the action of a plunger 392 connected thereto and to an armature 393 which is movedupward when a solenoid 394 is energized. The slide valve 390 is resiliently held in a lower position by a spring 395, this spring being comgpessed when the solenoid 394 is energ1zed. pper and lower air passages 398 and 399 communicate with opposite ends of the valve chamber 391 and also communicate respectively with the lower and upper ends of the cylindrical bore 360 through passages 400 and 401. Formed between the passages 398 and 399 is an exhaust passage 403 which is in communication with the passage 399 through a pocket 404 on the slide valve 390 when this slide valve is in a lower position. When the slide valve is moved into an upward position the pocket 404 connects the exhaust passage .403 with b the upper air passage 398.

A supply of compressed air is delivered to the valve chamber through a passage indicated by dotted lines 408 of F 1g. 12, and this air may reach the lower portion of the chamber 391 through a passage 409 formed through the slide valve.

Thus, when the slide valve is in a position shown in Fig. 12, the compressed air supplied to the valve chamber 391 is delivered to the cylindrical bore 360 at a point below the piston structure through the passages 398 and 400, thus exerting an upward pressure on the piston to hold the spindle in withdrawn position. At this time the upper end of the cylindrical bore communicates with the exhaust passage 403 through the passages 401 and 399, and the pocket 404. If, now, the solenoid 394 is energized, the valve member moves upward and compressed air may flow through the passage 409 to the lower part of the valve chamber 391 and through the passages 399 and 400 to the upper end of the cylindrical bore, thus exerting a downward force on the piston and moving the spindle downward. The compressed air previousl retained below the piston is exhausted t rough the passages 401, 398, and the pocket 404 which atthis time connects the passage 398 and the exhaust passage 403.

The amount of downward pressure on the spindle is controlled by the pressure of the air, and when the drill has penetrated the pipe, the piston structure 367 continues to move downward until it engages the stop member 369. Upon de-energization of the solenoid 394 the supply of compressed gas is again transferred to the lower portion of the cylindrical bore, and the spindle is withdrawn by the upward pressure exerted on this piston structure.

The passage 408 receives air through a hose 415 best shown in Fig. 1 and which is in turn connected to an air manifold 416 which extends around the face plate 32 and which is adapted to supply each of the drill structures with compressed air. The manifold 416 is in communication with the air line 271 through a flexible hose 417 and a pressure regulator 418, the setting of this regulator determining the rate of advancement of the drills 358.

Torch structure The torch structure of my invention is shown in detail in my patent Serial No. 425,839, filed February 4, 1930, now Patent No. 1,872,408 and in Fig. 13 I have shown only the main features thereof. Referring to this figure, the torch structure comprises a base 446 which is shown as being secured directly to one of the drill structures 33, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, though a spacer may be inserted therebetween as will e hereinafter described. This securing means is preferably adjustable to allow ad- 

